I tried to give blood last month but Nurse Ratched wouldn't let me.

First it was because I was in pain. (My back, nothing new.) I asked what that had to do with it (not in those exact words, I was very nice.) She said, "Because I'm about to put you in a whole lot more pain!" I pointed out that it would be a very different kind of pain and very short lived.

Then she said that I couldn't give blood because my pain wasn't under control. I disagreed with her but it didn't make any difference to her. She was determined to find some excuse not to take my blood.

It wouldn't have made such a big impression on me if she had been polite and respectful. She's a very tall woman, and I'm only 5'3". At the beginning of our discussion, she led me to a carrel which had sides on it so people would have some privacy. However, she didn't sit down. Instead, she stood on the other side of the table with her arms crossed and scowled down at me. She never introduced herself or smiled or asked me what meds I was taking (they had all been approved in January when I tried to donate.) Initially I sat down, but at one point I decided to stand up and she noticed my stiffness. That's when she first decided I couldn't donate because I was in pain.

I didn't feel singled out though - my friend who was allowed to donate said she had been unpleasant to all the other staff and especially demeaning with a new one.Font Color black

It's no wonder there's a shortage of blood with nurses like her. It sure seems like a bad idea to emphasize and exaggerate the discomfort of a needle stick.

Comments:

I hope that wasn't Blood Assurance! I'm a multi-gallon donor. Can you imagine someone getting a pint of my blood?? They would talk funny and drink sweet iced tea and call everyone "darlin'". Ha!

comment by mzscarlett on Apr 23, 2008 7:48 PM ()

Mz Scarlett - I'd be honored to have a pint of your blood. Not only would I gain a cool southern accent (so I could say all y'all without people lookin' at me sideways) but I might receive some of your grace and courage. I used to put sugar in my iced tea. Does that count as sweet tea? It was the Michigan Community Blood Center.

reply by catdancer on Apr 23, 2008 8:43 PM ()

that's unfortunate! I don't give blood cuz I HATE needles and pain... so Kudos to you for even trying!

comment by kristilyn3 on Apr 21, 2008 8:26 AM ()

I don't think there's any real pain Kristy. No more than when they take blood for a test. Too bad you don't like needles but I think you're in good company because a lot of other people don't like them either.

reply by catdancer on Apr 21, 2008 8:47 AM ()

comment by grumpy on Apr 21, 2008 7:42 AM ()

Yeah, everyone else there was very nice and polite. The man that took all my info and then discovered my iron was on the low side in January couldn't have been nicer. She was just totally unprofessional.

reply by catdancer on Apr 21, 2008 8:45 AM ()

comment by tealstar on Apr 20, 2008 4:54 AM ()

Teal, that's a shame that you've run into so many bad nurses. I have only met one or two crabby ones but none that tried to intimidate me the way she did. I expect I'll get some kind of answer this week.

reply by catdancer on Apr 20, 2008 10:19 AM ()

My blood was refused because I had a series of small pox vaccines to prevent frequent fever blisters. Don't let it get to you, Babe.

I'm impressed you give blood (or try to). I gave once and passed out. Next time I tried (35 years later), I was refused because of my weight and the fact I'd been to Europe recently! Frankly, I wasn't all that upset.

And there is a shortage of blood and donors--I wonder why?

comment by angiedw on Apr 19, 2008 5:38 AM ()

Yeah. She's not gonna recruit many donors with her attitude.

reply by catdancer on Apr 19, 2008 9:05 AM ()

report her or ask to see the supervisor.

comment by cindy on Apr 19, 2008 12:57 AM ()

Thanks Cindy. She was the one in charge that afternoon but I wrote a letter to the agency and explained what happened. I just sent it last week, so I'm just waiting to hear from them.

reply by catdancer on Apr 19, 2008 9:04 AM ()

Welp. At least she was spreading her unpleasantness around, wasn‘t just towards you, so that’s a small something Cat. Maybe she was just having a bad day, did her hair look alright?...

How rude! And you were giving your blood! At least you were willing to.

comment by teacherwoman on Apr 18, 2008 4:26 PM ()

Yup. She was something all right.

reply by catdancer on Apr 18, 2008 11:10 PM ()

What a bloody mess?

comment by strider333 on Apr 18, 2008 3:58 PM ()

reply by anniel on Apr 18, 2008 4:37 PM ()

Ayuh!

reply by catdancer on Apr 18, 2008 4:04 PM ()

Unbelievable!!!! I would think these people would be double nice to those who donate. I've never donated blood because of all my health problems and the meds I take. I figured they wouldn't want my blood. But, I know I wouldn't want to donate to that scrooge. Sorry you had such a bad experience.

comment by anniel on Apr 18, 2008 3:25 PM ()

I donated years ago, but then I got pregnant and after that, I didn't weigh enough to donate for a long time. A friend of mine called me up and said let's go together so I did.

The first time I donated, I passed out afterward. This group has a nice dinner all ready for us as a thank you so I don't think I'll faint again.

reply by catdancer on Apr 18, 2008 4:04 PM ()

well then check out with the person who is running this.
There must be a reason for this.Sorry,about the pain.she may or may not be
correct on this.So checked it out to see whats up.
Yea,we do have some rude people.Don't let the height bother you